Dropping back from the Group 3 and Listed company she's been keeping on her last four starts, Avenue Montaigne a 94 rated daughter of Showcasing gained a deserved success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Dundalk. Bairns At Bay edged Avenue Montaigne for the position of favouritism but rider Conor King travelled well to arrive with a challenge in the final quarter mile, after the first-named had cut it out up front.

King had to wait for the split to arrive but once it did Avenue Montaigne wasn't long about asserting her superiority and John Murphy's juvenile was three and three parts of a length up on the 'jolly' at the line.

"She was a bit lazy early on but she travelled well. She picked up well and quickened," said King afterwards.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Marol trained by P.D. Deegan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race, possibly as a result of kickback, but otherwise post race normal.

(MG & EM)